THE QUEEN has rewarded the Duke of Westminster for his loyalty to the Crown and his role in the Territorial Army.

Buckingham Palace announced on St George's Day the Duke would be appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which is the oldest British Order of Chivalry.

The order, founded by Edward III in 1348, was intended to be reserved as the highest reward for loyalty and for military merit.

In part, the title recognises the Duke's role in the Territorial Army, in which he now serves as brigadier, making him the highest ranking reserve off icer in the British Army.

The Duke, whose ancestral seat is Eaton Hall, near Chester, began as a trooper, the lowest rank, with the Cheshire Yeomanry based at Fox Barracks in Liverpool Road, and worked his way up to squadron leader before becoming brigadier. He still retains links with the squadron.

Gerald Grosvenor, sixth Duke of Westminster, said: 'I am delighted and enormously proud to be honoured by Her Majesty in this way and to be following in the footsteps of my great grandfather, the 1st Duke, who was also a Knight of the Garter.'

The inauguration ceremony will take place at Windsor on June 16.

Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.

The Duke, whose aristocratic roots go back to William The Conqueror, is firm friends with the Prince of Wales and is well known for his unstinting work for good causes - he is patron of 150 groups and charities.

The number of Knights in the order is limited to 24 plus royal knights, including the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Kent, The Princess Royal and the Duke of Gloucester.

There are a number of foreign monarchs in the order, known as 'Stranger Knights' and they include the Kings of Spain and Norway and the Emperor of Japan.

For much of its history, the Garter was limited to the aristocracy but today knights are from more varied backgrounds. If there are any vacancies, it is traditional to announce appointments on St George's Day, as he is the patron saint of soldiers.

The origin of the emblem of the order, a blue garter, is obscure. It is said to have been inspired by an incident when King Edward III danced with Joan, Countess of Salisbury.

The Countess' garter fell to the floor and after the king retrieved it he tied it to his own leg. Those watching were apparently amused but the king admonished them saying 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' (Shame on him who thinks this evil). This became the motto of the order.

Modern scholars think it more likely that the order was inspired by the strap used to attach pieces of armour, and that the motto could well have referred to critics of Edward's claim to the French throne.